A SCHOOLGIRL has called on people to think differently about extreme poverty by taking on a challenge to live on £1 a day.

Olivia Yates raised £200 for Unicef by spending less than £5 on food and drink over a period of five days.

And the 13-year-old said the effort had given her an understanding of the daily experience of millions of people living in developing countries.

The Year Eight pupil at Thirsk School said the financial restraints of the exercise meant she had largely lived off limited portions of eggs, tinned foods, bread and water, leaving her struggling with hunger pains.

She said: "It was difficult when I walked into the canteen and there were people having a variety of colourful foods, such as curry and pizzas.

"I never felt satisfied, it was hard to concentrate on anything because I always had this ache in my stomach.

"It was hard, but if other people in the world have to do it every day, then I can do it for five days.

"I think doing the challenge would help people to understand what those facing poverty are going through and the fact they need empathy instead of sympathy."

For details about the challenge, visit livebelowtheline.com/uk